Lynn grid teams split games in Everett Jamboree

EVERETT – With the countdown to opening-week kickoff looming ever close, the Lynn Classical and English football teams took to the field at Everett’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on Friday evening, looking to work out any kinks in preparation for their respective campaigns.The finale of the inaugural four-game jamboree saw the Classical Rams give it their all against the host Crimson Tide, who prevailed with a 28-12 victory.Offensively, the Rams looked confident in their abilities, staging a 12-play opening drive that ultimately ended at the opposing 16. The sequence featured five completions on seven attempts from Eli McConney.Classical’s senior signal-caller finished 9 for 16 for 108 yards while running back Devin Crayton accumulated 42 yards on five touches.Everett sandwiched the drive, which ended in a turnover on downs, between two of their own which ended in scores.Jordan McAfee hit Lukas Denis for a 42-yard touchdown pass 1:16 into the first of two 12 minute halves before Jackinson Joacine made it 13-0 with a beautiful 25-yard scamper to the left pylon with 29 seconds to go.A botched play just 24 seconds into the ensuing period resulted in a 45-yard touchdown return for John Uga.From their, the Rams would improve until breaking onto the scoreboard at the 6:20 mark when McConney faked an inside-handoff before waltzing his way into the end zone, uncontested.After forcing the hosts into their first punt, Classical needed just one play to cut the deficit to 16.Jakeel Brown fielded a short pass from McConney along the left sideline before an impressive burst of speed carried him to pay dirt.In the opening game of the night, English shook off a sluggish start to defeat Somerville, 19-15 with all its point coming in the second half.A Bulldogs’ turnover on the opening kickoff set-up the Highlanders at the 32. Two plays later, Isaac Saron found Carlos Alphonse for the only points of the opening period.A wake-up call in the second allowed English to tie things on its first drive.A 13-yard pass from Lucas Harris to Daekwon Shepard preceded consecutive rushes from Stevie Collins (40 yards on six touches).Facing a fourth and 12, Harris (7 for 16, 66 yards, interception) never flinched after being flushed from the pocket, eventually finding a wide-open CJ Hernandez for a 30-yard score.The Bulldogs’ next drive started and finished with Collins who turned a broken play into a 20-yard gain to start things before plowing his way over the goal-line from four yards out for a 12-7 lead.English’s Sakada Chhay would rack up 96 yards on just six carries including an impressive 56-yard touchdown at 1:35.A fluke deep ball from Cidjud Felix to Demar Chapman helped cap the scoring after deflecting off one of three English defenders contesting for it.In other action, Winthrop bested Malden 21-6 behind two scoring passes from Dylan Driscoll (4 for 8, 89 yards) who connected with Jordan Atkins (20 yards) and Zack Deeb (24 yards) in periods one and two respectively.Jake Chiudina added a 31-yard rushing touchdown for the Vikings.Bedford and Medford played to a 0-0 tie in the evening’s opening contest.